Stephen Smith

Stephen D. Smith is an Environmental Engineer and Safety Management Specialist living and working in Albany, New York.  He was elected to the Clearwater Board of Directors in 2008 and completed three consecutive 3-year terms, serving as Secretary, Treasurer, and chairing various committees during his tenure.  Upon completion of a 1-year retirement (required under the by-laws) Stephen returned to the board and was elected president upon the resignation of then-president Betsy Garthwaite.

As a consulting engineer, Stephen provides guidance and assistance to large and small manufacturing facilities, State agencies, and individuals across New York State seeking to attain or maintain compliance with environmental regulations.  As Engineering is the practice of applying mathematics and science to the solving of real-world problems, Stephen is expert in interpreting environmental regulations, calculating the effects of industrial activities, and modeling the emissions profiles of criteria and hazardous air pollutants.  He routinely works with State and Federal regulators and client attorneys to negotiate and tailor compliance methods that satisfy regulatory requirements and  protect public safety and health.  Stephen also provides in-person classroom training in maintaining environmental compliance.

Stephen is a musician and performer who often provides musical entertainment aboard Clearwater and at shore-side events.  His contacts on the local music scene in Albany, NY enable him to curate an annual fundraising event at The Linda (WAMC’s performing arts studio) that supports the Clearwater Mission.  Stephen is also an avid camper and paddler and serves as Vice-president of North River Friends of Clearwater, his local Sloop Club.

Stephen has lived on or near the Hudson River all of his life.  Born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Poughkeepsie, Stephen can recall many hours spent alongside the river from NYC to Albany, but especially at Waryas Park, Kaal Rock Park, and Norrie Point.  He can recall many evenings cleaning and cooking the Hudson River shad that supplemented the family diet.  He knows first-hand how much improvement there has been in the water quality since his childhood and how much more work there is to do to save our river.

“I consider being allowed to contribute to furthering the vision of Pete Seeger the greatest honor and privilege of my life.  We owe it to all who come after us to leave behind a clean, healthy, and as-always,s beautiful Hudson River, and the best insurance we can provide them is a healthy Clearwater Organization.”